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The Ocala Civic Theatre is joining the front line of top-tier technology in the theater world with a new Barco laser projection system, making its local debut with OCT's production of "Outside Mullingar," which is onstage now through March 19.

“We have 40 years of development in computerized lighting,” explained Barry Steele, the internationally renowned designer who implemented the system for OCT.

“Twenty years ago, the convergence of lighting and video design began. By now, Americans are accustomed to this level of visual storytelling from TV and movies — so our theaters have to be conversant in this language, as well. OCT has made a major step in that direction with this equipment.”

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In films and television, greenscreen has been a standard pioneered and advanced by filmmakers like Lucasfilm/Industrial Light and Magic and Weta Workshop – the creators of the "Star Wars" prequels and the "Lord of the Rings" films.

The technology moved forward rapidly, developing into immersive environments and visual effects like StageCraft – a system of high-definition video screens displaying computer-generated backgrounds in facilities called “Volumes.”

They surround the actors with these screens, creating 360 degree virtual environments that actors no longer have to imagine. The Barco system at OCT is similar, albeit not quite as advanced as what ILM uses on "The Mandalorian."

“It’s the same kind of tech that was used in "Oblivion" (2013) with Tom Cruise, but it’s evolved after 10 years,” said Steele, who has created and designed more than 100 productions with the San Francisco Opera Center, Nantes Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Nai-Ni Chen Dance company.

“These were the same projectors that were used in that film. Even many top-of-the-line theaters don’t have a projector and screen of this quality,” Steele said.

All about the new system

The 30,000 lumen, high-definition laser projector has three times the gain in image quality and weighs in at 330 pounds – and just one bulb for this massive Goliath costs $7,000.

The enormous screen, made in Germany by Gerriets – the only company in the world that makes them – is a curtain of optical plastic that takes up the whole stage.

“It’s just magical. The best in the world,” Steele said.

The virtual backgrounds help cut down on the need to design and build physical scenery and sustain a more environmentally friendly workplace, and eliminates waste. Without so much scenery to break down and store, it’s a big time, space, and cost-saver for the theatre.

“This will pay for itself over three seasons,” said OCT Producing Artistic Director Greg Thompson, who also directs "Outside Mullingar." “It will immeasurably enrich the theatrical experience for our audiences. It’s a win for the community.”

The new system will provide unparalleled opportunities for OCT to create a fully immersive experience for audiences, with virtual backgrounds replacing physical scenery and realistically bringing to life any kind of habitat, weather, or special effect.

You want a tornado? Coming right up. An underwater scenario? No problem. A sojourn in the Gobi Desert? Pack your water bottles.

“We primarily use it right now to provide background, but it can do a lot more. We could put you in space or on an alien landscape,” Steele said. “It can cover pretty much any design scheme for a play, opera, or dance performance. Shows can be set absolutely anywhere, representing everything from the Everglades to to another galaxy. It’s just an incredible tool to create environments.”

OCT audiences can see the new projection system in action with "Outside Mullingar," as the verdant, vibrantly Irish hills of the Midlands come to life right onstage.

The fictional farms of the Reilly and Muldoon families are as green and lush as you can get without hopping a plane to the Emerald Isle. The background visuals are stunningly vivid, clear and almost freakishly tangible; so much so, you may find yourself looking for an umbrella when it starts to rain. The Barco system catapults OCT to the forefront of contemporary theater design and technology.

“The pace of theatrical design has really sped up in the past few decades,” Steele said. “It’s going on all over the world. This is a major investment in projection technology for storytelling, and it’s a major leveling-up.”

Florida's 'tornado dead zone' fixed with radar advancements: NWS

The National Weather Service says an area of North Florida that once lacked low-level radar used to spot tornadoes now has proper coverage. The "tornado dead zone" as it was called included parts of Marion, Sumter, and Putnam counties. A Jacksonville radar that had been down in 2022 for maintenance is also back online.

OCALA, Fla. - It’s been one year since a tornado tore through Marion County. The EF-1 tornado was on the ground on March 12 for 35 minutes, spanning 26 miles from Dunnellon to Ocala, but not a single alert was sent to notify people of the storm.

Today, the businesses along State Road 200 near exit 350 on Interstate 75 have been repaired on the outside, but the scars of the storm can still be seen along the tree line. There snapped branches still bare a reminder of the storm.

"It started raining really hard. Next thing we know we hear this most of obnoxious crumble," said Kim Stokes.

Stokes was inside Paddock Park Veterinary one year ago right as an EF-1 tornado was barreling in on them.

"It was an awful day that’s for sure. It’s taking a long time to get back to where we are now," said Practice Manager Vicki Bennett.

The storm forced Paddock Park to close for 10 days and relocate 57 animals. It took months for them to get a new roof and complete other repairs. Inside, some of their rooms are still gutted to repair water damage caused by the storm.

"I’m sure there are people who still don’t even have their homes repaired. I’ve seen roofs still with tarps from that," said Bennett.

The National Weather Service never issued an alert for the tornado that day. That is when FOX 35 News uncovered the "Tornado Dead Zone" in North Central Florida, where radar struggled to detect smaller, lower-to-the-ground EF0 to EF1 tornados. At the same time, the Jacksonville radar tower that normally covered the area was down for maintenance. Today, it’s back online to help with coverage, but Marion County officials would still like to see more.

"Population-wise and what we have now, I do think we need to be consistently looking at coverages and where the needs are," said Marion County Emergency Management Director Preston Bowlin.

Marion County legislatures have pushed for more radar coverage over the last year, but things remain status quo. Instead, officials and residents still rely on additional forms of coverage like weather spotters and local meteorologists to help fill in the gaps.

"I have the weather app – your weather app," said Stokes.

Stokes received our FOX 35 Weather app notification of a tornado warning in northern Marion County on Monday morning. Officials also suggest signing up for alerts through AlertMarion.com to keep you informed.

No one was hurt during the March 2022 tornado.

Editor's note: This story was revised at 9:25 p.m. to report that northbound I-75 lanes are open.

The nightmare on Interstate 75 is now over.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the northbound lanes on the highway opened at 8:55 p.m. An overhead bridge above I-75 remains closed for repairs.

Troopers said a semitractor-trailer traveling north on I-75 with an oversized load hit and damaged the overpass at Southwest 66th Street (Williams Road) on Wednesday, causing officials to close northbound lanes and leading to severe traffic backups.

The incident occurred at 9:14 a.m., FHP officials said. The truck was hauling a large steel tank as cargo. No one was injured.

"As the unit travelled under the SW 66 Street/Williams Road overpass, the top of the tank struck the undercarriage of the overpass," the FHP wrote in a news release.

"Work crews are currently removing damaged concrete from the overpass," the patrol said in a 2 p.m. update. "Debris removal, and possible temporary repairs are expected to last for the next three hours or longer."

At that point, all northbound traffic was being diverted at County Road 484 near Belleview. Southbound lanes were open, but slow going. Southwest 66th Street (Williams Road) was closed.

An FHP news release identified the truck driver only as a 50-year-old man from Lakeland.

Officials said the driver was making a delivery in Ocala when the incident occurred.

As of 7 p.m., the interstate was still closed. Officials are hoping to open the roadway before the next day. Inspectors called to the scene as soon as the crash happened had concluded their work before nightfall. Officials put a wrapping on the bridge so loose concrete would not fall on vehicles traveling below.

Law enforcement officials detoured traffic throughout Marion County, which caused major headaches for drivers. Most side streets and roadways were clogged with vehicles.

Troopers also had to work more than their fair share of crashes throughout the day. Shortly after 7 p.m., FHP officials had nine crashes that required a trooper. And there was one fatal crash in Ocala.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

Fans of Buc-ee’s Brisket and Beaver Nuggets celebrated a milestone Tuesday.

Marion County Commissioners unanimously approved a zoning change to allow for the construction of a Buc-ee’s gas station on a 32.83-acre portion of Baldwin Angus Ranch in Ocala.

County commissioners approved a plan to build an 80,000-square-foot store with three fuel centers, 120 fuel stations, and a 125-foot sign.

Buc-ee’s is not your ordinary gas station. In addition to the usual convenience store snacks, the travel centers serve hot food, including breakfast, brisket and deli sandwiches and its signature sweet corn puff snacks called Beaver Nuggets, 24 hours a day.

It also has electric car charging stations, and the stores are known for their award-winning clean bathrooms.

The company has stores in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri. Each store location is massive. The New Braunfels, Texas, store currently holds the world record for the largest convenience store at 66,335 square feet.

Buc-ee’s is also known for its distinguished mascot: Buc-ee the Beaver.

All five Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted to change the zoning from agriculture to planned urban development for 32.83 acres of the 574-acre Baldwin Angus Ranch near County Road 326 and I-75. Each commissioner expressed their desire to be first in line for a brisket sandwich.

“Every time we go out in the community, we have too many car washes, too many gas stations being built.[There’s] not much we can do about it,” District 4 Commissioner Carl Zalak III said. “But everybody we talk to can’t wait for Buc-ee’s to be there.”

This is the third Buc-ee’s to open in Florida. The first store opened in St. Augustine in February 2021, and the second in Daytona Beach the following month.

Buc-ee’s fanatics across the state of Florida are rejoicing following the zoning change approval.

Ever since it was founded in 1982, the gas station brand has developed a large following. Customers show their passion for the stores by sporting clothing, cups and other merchandise with the Buc-ee’s logo.

Sammy Vaserstein, a University of Florida student and a loyal supporter of the Texas-based gas station said he considers the commission’s approval to be a dream come true.

“I feel like it’s the Disneyworld of gas stations,” Vaserstein says. “Usually, you stop at a gas station, and it’s part of a trip you don’t enjoy. But with Buc-ee’s, it becomes a highlight of your trip as opposed to the worst part.”

A South Florida resident, Vaserstein said he will be able to stop at the gas station while traveling throughout Florida.

While there are already two Buc-ee’s in Florida, this station will be opened in the middle of the state in a densely populated transportation location.

The newly approved Buc-ee’s will not open until construction for the I-75 interchange project at State Road 951 in Collier County, tentatively set for late 2025, is completed.

For those seeking a tranquil getaway from the bustling crowds of theme parks and beaches, the Ocala National Forest offers a serene retreat. Located just north of Orlando, this vast forest boasts an impressive 383,000 acres of sand pine scrub forest, natural springs, and hundreds of lakes and ponds, making it a nature lover's paradise.

One of the highlights of the Ocala National Forest is the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, which provides visitors with a picturesque drive through the heart of the forest. The route takes travelers on a 60-mile journey through some of Florida's most untouched landscapes, including the winding Yearling Trail that passes by a sinkhole and the remains of 19th-century homesteads.

The Ocala National Forest is also home to several recreation areas, such as Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, and Salt Springs. Visitors can cool off in natural pools or take a leisurely canoe ride down the crystal-clear waters. Lake Kerr and Lake George, two of the largest lakes in the forest, offer opportunities for boating and fishing. With its abundant natural beauty, the Ocala National Forest is an ideal destination for those seeking an escape into the great outdoors.

What Can You Do At Ocala National Forest?

The open road surrounded by forest in Ocala National Forest - an epic Florida roadtrip

For anyone traveling to the Ocala National Forest, there are plenty of fun things to see and do. Since this forest covers over 387,000 acres, there are endless possibilities for visitors. Whether the person visiting prefers to stay in their car and sight-see, walk in the tree-filled pathways, or even jump into a canoe and explore the waterways, the Ocala National Forest is a nature enthusiast's dream.

According to past travelers, here are some activities to try while at the Ocala National Forest:

Related: Exploring The Florida Everglades: Hiking Trails, Camping Sites, & Eco-Adventures In The Swamp

One thing about the Ocala National Forest is that anyone who goes will want to explore nature. Although guests can drive through the heart of the park by taking the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, it's worth it to pull over and take in the scenery.

Furthermore, while in the Ocala National Park area, tourists can also check out places like the Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Silver River Museum & Environmental Center, Ocala Civic Theater, Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, and countless others.

Luckily, Ocala is populated enough to have plenty of restaurants, hotels, shopping, and entertainment, once someone is done adventuring through the forest.

If a visitor wants to see more greenery in Florida, visiting Apalachicola National Forest may also be worth adding to the itinerary. Withlacoochee State Forest is another great stop for hikers, so Florida is filled with spots to breathe in the fresh air and get active.

How Close To Downtown Ocala Is The Ocala National Forest?

The Ocala National Forest is roughly 25 miles from downtown Ocala. Although the forest is within the city of Ocala, because of its size, there is a bit of a drive. Specifically, visitors will want to take FL-40 W to the downtown square, where there will be places to eat, shop, stay, and walk around.

Ocala is an equestrian community, so much of its history and tourism surrounds horses. For those who want to ride horses, there are countless opportunities in both Ocala and the Ocala National Forest, which could be worth looking into.

While in Florida, horse lovers may want to meet the famous Gypsy Vanner horses on this unique Florida farm tour.

On top of horse-related activities, downtown Ocala and leading into the Ocala National Forest, there are a few hotels to stay at, including:

Additionally, some places to grab a bite in the Ocala National Forest area include:

Visitors to the Ocala National Forest may prefer to eat in downtown Ocala, as there will be a broader range of cuisine.

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Ocala National Forest?

Although the Ocala National Forest is gorgeous year-round, many people prefer to go during winter. Because Ocala is in central Florida, it sees mild weather through the fall, winter, and spring - perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the forest.

The average highs during the day in Ocala during winter stay in the mid-70s, which means guests to the forest may not even need a jacket. Florida is one of the best warm winter destinations for travelers, so it's perfect for anyone trying to escape a harsh winter region.

Related: Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale For Culture Lovers: Art Galleries, Theaters, & Festivals In The Heart Of The CityCrowd sizes are also down during the winter, as many people come to the Ocala National Forest during the springtime. Because of its location, Ocala National Forest will be pretty moderate throughout the year, so whenever someone wants to visit, they can.

Many past visitors recommend heading out to Ocala National Forest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November, and December, so there is plenty of time for nice weather. Ocala also puts on a festive holiday display throughout the downtown region during November and December. So, a winter trip to the park could be an excuse to see Christmas lights and enjoy the town's festivities.